Springfield town center has been successful and great for the area but does anyone think the Springfield Plaza will be revamped too? or the old apartment buildings in the back?

My wife and I attended a civic association meeting at Crestwood Elementary when the owner of the apartment buildings gave a presentation on his plans for the buildings. The plan was to demolish all of the buildings and replacement them with 1 and 2 master bedroom apartments with individual garages on the ground floor. The buildings would be pushed up against and conform to Commerce Street with all parking being hidden from the street. That was at least 6 years ago though so take it for what it's worth.

I am not sure if the work will ever be done but if it is now would be the time since the "revitalization zone" was specifically extended to include Commerce Street for this project. The revitalization zone is an area designated by the state that allows for special tax breaks for new construction/remodel/etc needed to support the number of new residents coming with Ft Belvoir. Almost all of central Springfield is in this zone which is why you have seen so much new construction and remodeling around.

I don't think the Plaza itself will see any changes aside from K-Mart moving out eventually. They just refaced the place a couple years ago and aren't having any issues attracting new businesses.

I have seen the proposal on the Springfield Plaza. Based on what I have learned, the plans for this redevelopment have not moved forward because of the economic downturn. The current status is still tentative, but is one that could potentially happen in the next few years.

Mike S - can you please let us know where you found the proposal? Thanks

I believe this may be it. http://uli.org/wp-content/uploads/ULI-Documents/2007SpringfieldReport.pdf

I read the document and I had never heard of this. There are more updated documents out there if you want to search. Out of curiosity I emailed Jeff McKay to see if the town plaza is still in the plans for this site. I also asked about the status of the new parking garage that will be going in across the street from the shopping center in the old Circuit City parking lot and the apartments on Commerce. Below is a link about this. Jeff's staff is very responsive to emails so if you ever have a question go to his site and click on the email link under his picture.

http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/breaking_ground/2016/01/fairfax-county-advances-50m-plus-old-keene-mill.html

McKay's site - http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/lee/

Here is the reply I got from McKay's office:


Our office is not aware of any movement regarding the "town square" at Springfield Plaza. The same goes for Springfield Garden Apartments. The decision to redevelop is still ultimately be in the hands of the owners of the Springfield Garden Apartments and we still have not received any word regarding that possibility.

The design phase of the commuter parking structure will take place in the next few months with bid advertisement and contract award in the summer of 2017 to summer 2019. Construction should occur from mid-2018 to spring 2019.

Why isn't Jeff Mckay putting any pressure on that owner to destroy and rebuild??? A rape just happened next to those apartments! It's very unsafe. At the very least the owner who is landlord of most likely all those illegal tenants should be fined!!

Why would any businessman in his right mind want to turn an automobile oriented shopping center that adequately meets the needs of those living in the nearby neighborhoods into an entertainment oriented Mecca for hipsters when there already is one just down the road at STC?

Have you been to the STC yet and seen how busy everything is there? There are more than enough residents in the area to be able to have multiple entertainment locations. The parking lot will soon become empty once the above mentioned slug line parking garage is erected across the street.

Not a Yuppie Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Have you been to the STC yet and seen how busy
> everything is there? There are more than enough
> residents in the area to be able to have multiple
> entertainment locations. The parking lot will soon
> become empty once the above mentioned slug line
> parking garage is erected across the street.


The plaza and apartments aren't going anywhere...leave it alone already.

Yousoundlikeone Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Not a Yuppie Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Have you been to the STC yet and seen how busy
> > everything is there? There are more than enough
> > residents in the area to be able to have
> multiple
> > entertainment locations. The parking lot will
> soon
> > become empty once the above mentioned slug line
> > parking garage is erected across the street.
>
>
> The plaza and apartments aren't going
> anywhere...leave it alone already.

Not the pp but why is it bad to want a complete revitalization for Springfield? Those dark, old, illegal migrant filled apartments are an eyesore. There is even a dinky non profit there that is government run but looks like a third world room! That rapist guy who was probably from Prince William County was probably in that area because he figured he could pick out a victim who would keep her mouth shut because she didnt know english or was an illegal. For a safer Springfield plaza and surrounding area a complete revitalization is needed with extra security.

It's amazing to see how much different the East end of Springfield has become just since 2011. The shopping centers have all had face lifts and added new tenants, the mall is doing fantastic, and VDOT is redoing a lot of the infrastructure surrounding the area (Dunkin Donuts intersection being redone this summer 2016 btw). Economic revitalizations usually take many years, even decades, so the quick turnaround in this area is pretty slick. If FBI picks Springfield for their relocation, I'd bet that the rest of the proposed and pending projects (the fitness center over by 495, the apartment revitalization being discussed here, Phase 2 of the STC build which is slated to be built over the existing surface lots for some reason) all take off. It's a welcome change. Everyone complaining about illegal immigrants, well you're probably in high school, but nonetheless, they'll relocate as the cost of living becomes too high. It's nice to see the community on the up and up, particularly on my property value assessments. Keep up the good work Springfield! I'm really interested in what will be built at the Jeep dealership across from Dunkin Donuts when they relocate over by 95.

Thanks for the info NoOneCares. Most people don't understand how long this process takes after 30+ years of stagnation. I am looking forward to the day the area near 5 Guys is gutted and something else is put in place, especially the abandoned building on the corner next to MVC. Hopefully it won't be a whore house to go with MVC and Paper Moon.

What are the plans for the Dunkin Donuts intersection? Just a repave or will they add dedicated turn lanes?

One thing I would add is that the old Toyota dealership on Backlick is going to be torn down and turned into a park. At least that was the last thing I had heard.

Not A Yuppie, unsure what they'll do by Dunkin Donuts. I only know it's slated to repave because when I filed an online VDOT report to get them to patch some potholes (some...that entire intersection looks like Baghdad), they closed it and emailed me to tell me that it's planned for rework.

They're excellent at road work if you request it though: https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/

Every time I've reported an issue, it's fixed within 48hrs. Highly recommend.


Glad you mentioned the park, I'll keep an eye out. I'll have to update Google Maps. I've probably updated a few hundred map markers in the Springfield area over the past few years... gotta keep up the trend. New map points keep getting put into intersections or parking lots for some reason.

I see a lot of changes happening in the Central Springfield District.

As we approach 20 Jan, some families that are living/sharing cramped quarters are leaving the area.

Springfield has some very nice families. There are also undocumented folks that need to find an employer to sponsor them.





-------------------------------------------------------
> My wife and I attended a civic association meeting
> at Crestwood Elementary when the owner of the
> apartment buildings gave a presentation on his
> plans for the buildings. The plan was to demolish
> all of the buildings and replacement them with 1
> and 2 master bedroom apartments with individual
> garages on the ground floor. The buildings would
> be pushed up against and conform to Commerce
> Street with all parking being hidden from the
> street. That was at least 6 years ago though so
> take it for what it's worth.
>
> I am not sure if the work will ever be done but if
> it is now would be the time since the
> "revitalization zone" was specifically extended to
> include Commerce Street for this project. The
> revitalization zone is an area designated by the
> state that allows for special tax breaks for new
> construction/remodel/etc needed to support the
> number of new residents coming with Ft Belvoir.
> Almost all of central Springfield is in this zone
> which is why you have seen so much new
> construction and remodeling around.
>
> I don't think the Plaza itself will see any
> changes aside from K-Mart moving out eventually.
> They just refaced the place a couple years ago and
> aren't having any issues attracting new
> businesses.

http://www.fcrevit.org/springfield/download/ULIReportMay2006.pdf

If you go to page 53, you'll what was a revitalization proposal for Springfield Plaza.

It's too bad that they couldn't do anything to that place within the span of 11 years.

NoOneCares Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Not A Yuppie, unsure what they'll do by Dunkin
> Donuts. I only know it's slated to repave because
> when I filed an online VDOT report to get them to
> patch some potholes (some...that entire
> intersection looks like Baghdad), they closed it
> and emailed me to tell me that it's planned for
> rework.
>
> They're excellent at road work if you request it
> though: https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/
>
> Every time I've reported an issue, it's fixed
> within 48hrs. Highly recommend.
>
>
> Glad you mentioned the park, I'll keep an eye out.
> I'll have to update Google Maps. I've probably
> updated a few hundred map markers in the
> Springfield area over the past few years... gotta
> keep up the trend. New map points keep getting
> put into intersections or parking lots for some
> reason.

Sponsor? They need to leave. The old unsafe apt buildings run by cheapo libs who dont invest in extra security need to be closed and remodeled. Only reason they exist is because of undocumented people who rent from them.

The mistake people make is thinking that Springfield could be the next Tysons. Drop a couple of major employers in the area and it might be. Until that happens it is better to have Springfield development oriented towards the needs of those who live in the area, rather than thinking they can turn it into a destination for outsiders.

An Immodest Suggestion Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The mistake people make is thinking that
> Springfield could be the next Tysons. Drop a
> couple of major employers in the area and it might
> be. Until that happens it is better to have
> Springfield development oriented towards the needs
> of those who live in the area, rather than
> thinking they can turn it into a destination for
> outsiders.

Springfield does have major employers. Boeing, SAIC, Marriott, Hilton, Inova a mile away to name a few.

Boeing is located in Newington near Costco. Inova is almost in Kingstowne. SAIC-how many of those employees are actually in Springfield.

Tell me that you are joking. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Boeing is located in Newington near Costco. Inova
> is almost in Kingstowne. SAIC-how many of those
> employees are actually in Springfield.


7700 Boston Blvd, Springfield, VA 22153, USA FYI

Saic at 7403 Boston Blvd, Springfield, VA

Residence Inn by Marriott Springfield Old Keene Mill

Courtyard by Marriott Springfield

TownePlace Suites by Marriott Springfield

Kaiser Permanente by Loisdale rd, Springfield

Inova Emergency Room - HealthPlex Franconia/Springfield

ALL in Springfield, VA. Many more too long to list....

Tell me that you are joking. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Boeing is located in Newington near Costco. Inova
> is almost in Kingstowne. SAIC-how many of those
> employees are actually in Springfield.


Costco 7373 Boston Boulevard, Springfield, VA 22153

The GSA gov agency is a biggie that houses a CIA center

alsocostco Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Tell me that you are joking. Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Boeing is located in Newington near Costco.
> Inova
> > is almost in Kingstowne. SAIC-how many of
> those
> > employees are actually in Springfield.
>
>
> Costco 7373 Boston Boulevard, Springfield, VA
> 22153


Map of Newington. Look what is right in the middle

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Newington,+VA/@38.7332612,-77.2158312,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x89b65325b3aad313:0x3e5ab4223be248b9!8m2!3d38.7384477!4d-77.1849816